This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because
it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.
My Students
My inquisitive 4th grade class is very interested in the environment, but the concrete jungle they live in doesn't give them any opportunity to observe animals in their natural habitat. How can we expect students to develop stewardship of our planet without understanding it?
Southern California inner city schools don't always give students access to nature.
My students are naturally curious about preserving our planet's resources. Their interest is often inspired by movies like Furry Vengeance which brings the environment and its challenges into their lives. But movies are no replacement for first hand experience. That is why we need an an aquarium for our classroom where we can set up a self-contained ecosystem to study.
My Project
For our classroom river ecosystem, we need an aquarium complete with filter system, river bank mold and plants. Students will be able to build an environment that can sustain both animals and plants. Responsibility for maintaining the habitat within the classroom will allow the students to develop a true stewardship for living things on our planet. Who knows, we might foster another John Muir or Jacques Cousteau.
Daily access to a natural habitat in the classroom will allow my forth grade students year after year to experience nature up close regardless of the fact that they live in the inner city.
Nearly all students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Nassiri and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
